Surname Fortschnieder - Meaning and Origin
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Fortschnieder: What does the surname Fortschnieder mean?
The last name Fortschnieder is of German origin and means "to advance, to make progress". In old German it also referred to someone who was a traveller or a merchant.
Fortschnieder is a fairly common surname with roots that date back centuries. The surname is believed to be derived from the early German term fort, which means "to advance and to move forward". It could also be from German verb ‘schnieden’ which means ‘to move forward’, ‘to progress’ or ‘to journey’.
Within Germany, this last name is most common in the central areas, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Outside of Germany, the name is most commonly found in Austria, Switzerland, and among the German-speaking Swiss population in Liechtenstein.
People surnamed Fortschnieder can trace their lineage back to Germany in the early part of the 16th century or possibly even earlier, when mercenary soldiers known as Landsknechte travelled the country. During this period, it was common for mercenary soldiers to take surnames that related to their travels, trades, and occupations.
The name Fortschnieder provides an interesting insight into the life of those who settled in Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries. The meaning of "to advance, make progress" and its association with travelling implies that its bearers were brave, adventurous and industrious people who chose to travel and settle in a new country.
Order DNA origin analysisFortschnieder: Where does the name Fortschnieder come from?
The last name Fortschnieder is most commonly found today in the United States and Europe. In the U.S., the name is most frequently seen in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Pennsylvania is home to the highest number of Fortschnieders with 339 individuals last recorded in the 2020 census. Wisconsin has the second highest concentration with 95 people recorded while Missouri had 42 in the same census.
In Europe, the last name is primarily recorded in Germany and Austria. In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria (Bayerisch) and Nordrhein-Westfalen. Bavaria is home to the highest number of Fortschnieders there with 566 people, while Nordrhein-Westfalen had 147 individuals in the most recent 2019 records. Meanwhile, Austria is home to only 49 people with the surname.
Other countries where the name is found in lesser quantities include Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Fortschnieder is also relatively common in Argentina, where it is likely of German descent.
Overall, the last name is quite scattered, with people bearing it living on virtually every continent. There does not appear to be any one country or region where the name is most prevalent.
Variations of the surname Fortschnieder
The surname Fortschnieder is of German descent and may have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants
Fortschneider, Fortschnijder, Fort Schneder, Fortschweider, Fortschneegr, Fortschnerd, Fortschneidr, Fortschneigre, Fortschneigries, Fortschneiger, Fortschneidermeister, Fortschneyder, Fischneide, Fischneiter, Fischneiter-Helf, Fischnetter, Fischneiter-Helft.
Spellings
Fort Schnieder, Fortschnieder, Fortschneeder, Fortschnieder, Fortschneidaer, Fortschnieda, Fortschnida, Fortschnecder, Fortschneitaer, Fortschnitdaer.
Surnames of the Same Origin
There are many surnames of the same origin as Fortschnieder. These include: Fortschneider, Fortschnijder, Fort Schneder, Fortschweider, Fortschneegr, Fortschnerd, Fortschneidr, Fortschneigre, Fortschneigries, Fortschneiger, Fortschneidermeister, Fortschneyder, Fischneide, Fischneiter, Fischneiter-Helf, Fischnetter, Fischneiter-Helft.
These surnames all have similar spellings and meanings as Fortschnieder, which originated from Middle High German words meaning “to cut diligently”. As the craft of tailoring was a profession in which one would need to meticulously cut fabrics, it is thought that these surnames likely derive from the occupation of tailor.
Famous people with the name Fortschnieder
- Diehl Fortschneider, an American actor known for his roles in films such as Destroyer and Vice Squad.
- Johann Friedrich Fortschneider, a German botanist who helped establish the Saxon State Botanical Garden in Dresden.
- Josef Friederich Fortschneider, a German photographer who is best known for his portraits of nobility.
- Adolf Fortschneider, an Austrian architect who designed the Oriental and Islamic Art Museum in Vienna.
- Konrad Fortschneider, an Austrian architect who is most noted for his late medieval and Gothic designs.
- Matthias Fortschneider, a German mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the field of astronomy in the late 19th century.
- Karl Josef Fortschneider, a German physicist and chemist who is known for originating the concept of molecular orbitals in quantum chemistry.
- Heinz Fortschneider, an Austrian sculptor who is famous for his work in public spaces throughout Vienna.
- Joseph Fortschneider, a German engineer who invented the world's first motorized locomotive in 1889.
- Andreas Fortschneider, a German engineer who helped to develop several early modern steam engine designs.